1. You’re Not an RTS Commander
First thing you need to realize: you can’t force anyone to do anything. Marines are players, not NPCs. If you try to micromanage them like a strategy game, they’ll ignore you or troll you harder than marines troll MP’s. Focus on influence, not control.
2. Your Role: First to Charge, First to Retreat
Your primary job as Squad Leader isn’t babysitting the FOB or hiding behind the lines. You are the tip of the spear.
- Push first: Marines are hesitant to move if you’re just barking orders. Want them to follow? Lead the charge.
- Call retreats early: If things go south, your job is to recognize when it’s time to pull back before it’s too late. A dead squad is a useless squad.
Develop your danger sense. The “sixth sense” that tells you when the tide is about to turn. You can only get this from experience, so be prepared to make some bad calls before you get good.
3. Relay Information Clearly
You are the middleman between Command and your squad. That means:
- Use your binoculars CONSTANTLY. Seriously, if you’re not scanning the battlefield every few seconds, you’re doing something wrong.
- Keep updates short and clear. Nobody cares about a long-winded speech while fighting for their life. Think:
- “Xenos near LZ2, HOLD!”
- “Charge west now, GO GO GO!”
- “We’re falling back to Hydro.”
If Command sends an order, translate it into actionable steps for your squad. Don’t just copy-paste what Command says unless you want your squad to collectively roll their eyes.
4. Quickbinds: Your Best Friend
Set up some custom keybinds to streamline your orders:
- “GO GO GO!” when it’s time to charge.
- “HOLD POSITION!” to stop the squad from overextending.
- “RETREAT!” when it’s time to fall back.
- *warcry for that extra morale boost. Marines love it.
5. Speak Like a Human
Your Marines don’t have time to decode some Shakespearean monologue mid-combat. Keep your tone casual and your sentences short:
- Bad: “My brothers and sisters, we stand united against the tide of darkness, and we must—”
- Good: “Push west. Kill the Crusher.”
Nobody will respect you if you sound like a bad action movie character.
6. Key Tips for Success
- Binoculars are life: Never stop scanning ahead. Knowledge is power, and you’re useless without intel.
- Don’t micromanage: Let your squad handle themselves unless it’s critical.
- Lead by example: Be the first to charge and the first to retreat. Marines will follow a leader who acts, not just talks.
- Adapt to the situation: Plans are great, but expect them to go to hell. Stay flexible.